It’s been a busy week here at GameZone. This week was packed with reviews, previews, and editorial content, so we’re not going to be upset if you missed anything. Instead, we’ll give you a quick recap of everything here. Check out the full Weekly Wrap-Up and see what you might have missed out on, like our review of Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D or our in-depth preview of Final Fantasy XIII-2.
The Cat and the Coup Review
Some games are incredibly difficult to rate with a number. So if that’s the case, why rate them? Check out GameZone’s scoreless review of The Cat and the Coup, a politically driven “documentary” game that tells the story of Mohammed Mossadegh using simple puzzles and beautiful aesthetics.
Dungeon Siege III Review
Dungeon Siege III manages to successfully combine intuitive hack-and-slash gameplay with plentiful loot collection to provide a satisfying experience that fans of action-RPGs will definitely want to sink their teeth into. The storytelling may be a bit questionable at times, but overall, the folks over at Obsidian have crafted an enjoyable experience and one hell of an action romp. Check out GameZone’s review of Dungeon Siege III for a full look at the game.
Duke Nukem Forever
You probably know this already by now, but Duke Nukem Forever is a bad, bad game. Don’t play it. Instead, read our in-depth review and have a good chuckle at the expense of what was once a highly anticipated first-person shooter. Duke Nukem Forever, you should have stayed in development hell.
F.E.A.R. 3 Review
It might not be very scary, but F.E.A.R. 3 still manages to do a lot of things right. Offering enthralling FPS gameplay, an enjoyable co-op mode, and some interesting mechanics, this title doesn’t live up to its name but certainly presents a compelling package overall. For more on F.E.A.R. 3, check out GameZone’s review of the game.
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D Review
The must-buy titles for the 3DS are slowly starting to surface, and you can bet Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is a game to check out if you own Nintendo’s current dual screen handheld. Featuring a bevy of modes and levels, rewarding shooting gameplay, and stunning visuals, this is one action game worth buying for your Nintendo portable. Check out our review of Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and see just why you should be playing this game if you own a 3DS.
Hunted: The Demon’s Forge Review
Sometimes all the potential in the world can’t make a game great. Unfortunately, this is the case with Hunted: The Demon’s Forge. While the game might not be particularly bad, it seems to fall flat on most of what it delivers, making it more of a worthy rental than a full-on purchase. Check out our full look at Hunted: The Demon’s Forge and see if this dungeon crawler is for you.
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 Review
Is BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 a quality buy for PSP owners? It can be, but it doesn’t quite live up to the standards of BlazBlue on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. If you’re looking for a fun portable fighter, you could do worse than BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2. Then again, is that really a good selling pitch? Check out GameZone’s review of the game and form your own opinions on whether or not this title is worth the money.
Backbreaker Vengeance Review
Want an intense, fun, and satisfying football game? If you were looking forward to getting that with Backbreaker Vengeance, you’ll likely end up disappointed. Though the game certainly has its fun moments, the enjoyment is over way too soon, offering an experience that’s hardly worth the price of admission. If you’re on the fence about this football title, check out GameZone’s complete review of Backbreaker Vengeance.
Tropico 4 Preview
Complex, varied, and addictive. That’s how we would describe Tropico 4. The simulator that puts you in control of your very own land offers a lot for fans of the genre, and it seems to do everything quite well. We love what we’ve seen of Tropico 4 thus far. Check out our full preview of the game and find out for yourself.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Preview
There’s no denying how disappointing Final Fantasy XIII was. Thankfully, the folks over at Square Enix know they goofed and are now looking to remedy the issues in the game with a direct sequel. So far, we have to say we’re impressed. Check out our preview of Final Fantasy XIII-2 to see why you can actually be excited about playing this game.
Rise of Nightmares Preview
The Kinect is starting to gather more attention from the hardcore crowd, and Rise of Nightmares aims to provide a satisfying experience for gamers who want some gritty action gameplay. Of course, this will probably be a lot more fun when played with other people. To learn more about this potentially awesome title, check out our full Rise of Nightmares preview.
Toy Soldiers: Cold War Preview
There’s something incredibly charming about the cheesy luster of the 1980s. Toy Soldiers: Cold War takes all of the gritty, over-the-top appeal of 80s war material and turns it into a satisfying gaming experience. Check out our preview of the game and see why Toy Soldiers: Cold War is shaping up to be a must-buy title in Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade.
Selling the Wii U: Online Play, Third-Party Support, and Blood
The Wii became a top-selling console due to its vast casual appeal and family-friendly content. As a result, a lot of the core crowd felt alienated. Does Nintendo need to conform in order to compete when the Wii U launches next year? How will the Big N try to market their upcoming console to gamers of all types?
Gamer’s Guide to Surviving a Broken Console
Things happen. Consoles break. It sucks, but you can either whine and complain about your machine or do something while the manufacturers repair it. GameZone’s detailed guide will help you get through your broken console blues.
Gamer’s Guide to Surviving an Online Gaming Outage
For some gamers, there’s nothing worse than the inability to game online. What should you do if your online gaming service of choice goes out for a few hours, days, or even weeks? GameZone has you covered with a step-by-step guide to surviving a network gaming crash.
Duke Nukem Forever: A Monument to Our FPS Sins
If one good thing came out of Duke Nukem Forever, it’s that the game is a letter to developers on how not to make a game. The FPS genre is rife with successes and failures, just like any other genre, but how the developers approach a new game is what makes or breaks a title. Duke Nukem Forever will always be indicative of bad game design and a true monument to our FPS sins.
The Arena: John Marston vs. Grayson Hunt
John Marston. Grayson Hunt. Two bad-ass guys that are good at what they do. But who wins out in terms of sheer badassery, attitude, and technical prowess? Check out GameZone’s Arena feature and see which of these two protagonists kicks more butt.
F.E.A.R. 3 Tips & Tricks
Looking for a few strategies to maximize your F.E.A.R. 3 experience? GameZone has you covered with a slew of tips and tricks to ensure that you enter the fray prepared at all times.
Daily Motivational Posters – 6/30/11
Need a little motivation in your life? Even if you don’t, be sure to check out GameZone’s exclusive motivational posters. They’re sure to boost your mood.
Big in Japan – Berserk
On this edition of Big in Japan, GameZone’s Richard Eisenbeis takes you through Berserk, a hack-and-slash title for PlayStation 2 that sends you through countless swarms of enemies and crazy bosses. Though there is plenty of monotony to be experienced, there are also a number of redeeming factors in the game. To get Richard’s take on the game, check out this episode of Big in Japan.
